By Clint Thompson Tomato season may have just ended in North Florida, but the fall crop will soon be planted. Josh Freeman, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) associate professor in horticultural science, estimates planting will begin around July 20-23. But growers should be mindful of one disease that could threaten the fall crop, especially amid …
Insect Activity Increasing Across Alabama
Insect activity has increased across Alabama, according to Alabama Extension. Traps record pest populations across the state over a two-week period. Specialty crop producers should be wary of beet armyworms and southern armyworms. Beet armyworms have increased 32% compared to a 75% increase for fall armyworms. According to the pest monitoring report, there were 99 beet armyworms on July 1, …
Recent Rains Helping North Georgia Peach Crop
By Clint Thompson What were hot and dry weather conditions have turned into sporadic periods of rainfall in North Georgia. That has been positive news for the state’s peach crop, says Drew Echols, owner of Jaemor Farms in Alto, Georgia, and president of the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. “You catch an inch of rain on some peaches that …
Alabama Hemp Production: Eye-Opening Experience for Producers This Year
By Clint Thompson Hot temperatures combined with a prolonged drought created less-than-ideal conditions for Alabama hemp production this year. Katelyn Kesheimer, Auburn University assistant professor and Extension specialist, said it has been an eye-opening experience for growers. “What’s definitely been eye-opening for producers is how much time and energy goes into getting a successful plant; not even a crop, just …
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
A changing landscape in agriculture calls for policy reform. By Zhengfei Guan and Kuan-Ming Huang The United States has been the largest agricultural exporter in the world and has had surplus in agricultural trade for decades. In 2019, however, the United States saw a deficit (-$1.3 billion) for the first time in over half a century since data were available. …
H-2A Program: What Else is There?
By Clint Thompson With all of the expensive headaches that accompany the H-2A program, it still provides growers with a much-needed workforce they aren’t going to find anywhere else. “I think at this particular juncture, people see it as the only game in town. No other viable option has presented itself,” said Veronica Nigh, economist with American Farm Bureau Federation …
Georgia Pecan Farmer: Pretty Good Looking Crop
By Clint Thompson Harvests for this year’s pecan crop is just a couple of months away. This year’s crop has exciting potential. But success will once again depend on the market prices that growers are able to receive, says farmer Randy Hudson. “We’ve got a pretty good looking crop. We’ve got some holes, though. Some older trees that had a …
Register Now: Citrus/Specialty Crop Expo Scheduled for Aug. 17-18
By Clint Thompson Producers and industry leaders should mark their calendars for this year’s Citrus and Specialty Crop Expo scheduled for Aug. 17-18 at the Lee Civic Center in Fort Myers, Florida. Complimentary registration is available for all growers, packers, shippers, processors, association members and university researchers. Those interested can click here for additional information. Josh McGill, show director, discusses …
Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo Slated for Aug. 17-18
By Clint Thompson Producers and industry leaders should mark their calendars for this year’s Citrus & Specialty Crop Expo scheduled for Aug. 17-18 at the Lee Civic Center in Fort Myers, Florida. Complimentary registration is available for all growers, packers, shippers, processors, association members and university researchers. Those interested can click here for additional information. Josh McGill, show director, discusses …
Finding a Fit for Blackberries in Florida
By Frank Giles Blackberries have been produced in Florida for some time, but new efforts have been made to learn more about the crop to grow production and markets in the state. Blackberries have been proven to be a popular item at U-pick operations. For farmers who grow U-pick strawberries and blueberries, blackberries offer a way to extend the picking …